Amid the tall claims of encouraging sports in Gujarat with Khel Mahakumbh and promotional taglines such as Ramse Gujarat (Gujarat Will Play), a report released by the Gujarat government in 2024 reveals a concerning reality. Out of the 53,851 recognised schools in Gujarat, 6,332 schools lack even basic playground facilities.

Among the 33,000 government primary schools, 5,000 schools do not have playgrounds. Additionally, out of approximately 12,700 secondary and higher secondary schools, 78 government schools, 315 grant-in-aid schools, and 255 private schools lack playgrounds. 

Many of these 255 schools operate within commercial complexes, where students must pass by shops and business establishments on their way to and from school.

However, this does not mean the remaining 47,519 schools have adequate playgrounds. In many cases, small open spaces or plots have been officially designated as playgrounds, even if they do not meet the required standards.

In 2018, the Gujarat government made it mandatory for new schools to have a designated playground, with a commitment that 40% of schools would implement this rule. However, there is still uncertainty about whether these schools have developed playgrounds.

According to education experts, Gujarat government regulations require every school to have a playground. As per the Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation Guidelines, a school’s playground should occupy 30% to 40% of the total school area.

A school with 500 students should have an open space of 2,000-3,000 square meters, allowing each child at least 4-6 metres for outdoor activities and a running distance of 100-200 meters.

However, in cities like Ahmedabad and Surat, many schools operate inside commercial complexes, making it difficult to provide proper playgrounds. In some cases, the lack of space even affects traffic flow, as students must navigate busy roads and staircases during school hours.

Numerous schools in Ahmedabad’s Ghatlodia, Naranpura, Bhuyangdev, Satellite, Amraiwadi, Odhav, Naroda, Nikol, Gomtipur, and Bapunagar operate without playgrounds, inside commercial complexes or along main roads. In such schools, students are either taken to rented playgrounds or only engage in sports activities on paper, without real participation.

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